This length of canal was the
subject of a major flood relief scheme shortly after the canal was
abandoned and is now classed as "main river" by the
Environment Agency. Under the current restoration programme, the water levels are being restored to about the original
operating level with major new control weirs and structures managing flood conditions and enabling navigation.

At
present, from Ryeford Double Lock to the tail of the Dudbridge Locks is
navigable but isolated with, at the beginning on 2013, major
restoration work is still underway at the Dudbridge Locks. Work on
Lodgemore bridge and Wallbridge Lower Lock has yet to start.

As
of 2012 Navigation for all craft is possible from the restored Ryeford
Double Lock to the Dudbridge Locks except under flood conditions when
the Ebley Flood Gates will be closed.

A little upstream of Ebley, Hilly
Orchard Bridge has been rebuilt and there is a large public space on the towpath side.

The canal continues eastwards
towards Dudbridge where a new
bridge carries the A419 dual carriage way over the canal with full
navigation

An hand operated crane still
survives on what was the old Dudbridge wharf.

Immediately beyond the bridge
is Dudbridge
Lower Lock with
this and the nearby Dudbridge Upper Lockundergoing restoration in 2013 .
The
two locks at Dudbridge have had their top gates replaced with
concrete dams about 1m below the original water level. This work was
carried out when the canal was modified to become a flood
relief channel.

The
canal carries the flows from Slad Brook
and the Painswick Stream with Ruscombe brook joining the canal
between the two Dudbridge locks, and these flows are being harnessed to
generate hydro power to provide an income stream to help maintain the
restored canal.

In times of flood, the flows
down the canal can be considerable and most winters see periods of
high flows which can restrict navigation.

A large bywash weir has been built to carry up to 20 cubic metres of surplus
water around these locks in times of flood.

The canal presses on towards
Stroud and the next road crossing
is at Chestnut Lane where a large electrically powered swing bridge has been installed. Particular
care is needed in times of higher flow.

Upstream of the Bridge at Stratchans Close is a new CCT built slipway
which will be the primary means by which larger craft can access the
restored Phase 1A length. The slipway is locked and arrangements for
access need to be made through SVCC.

Lodgemoor
Bridge is another former swing bridge and is unusual in that it is
also a skew bridge. It is also the last bridge over the Stroudwater
before its terminus is reached at Wallbridge.

As Stroud
is approached, the Painswick Stream enters on the north bank. This
used to be navigable for a short distance at one time. Immediately
upstream of this confluence is a low weir across the canal which will be removed when this section is restored.

The
Thames & Severn Canal leaves the Stroudwater Canal at Wallbridge
on the north bank. The Stroudwater Navigation used to terminate in a
basin just beyond this point but it has been filled in and is now
occupied by various businesses. The original red brick warehouse still
stands on the north side as does the former headquarters building of
the Company of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation just beyond
it - this is best viewed from either the T&S Canal towpath or the
main road.

Wallbridge Lower Lock is due for restoration in 2013 or 2014 and Wallbridge Upper Lock has already been restored.

It will soon be possible to navigate through the new section of canal
at Capels Mill to Bowbridge Lock. The next 2Km section beyond this and including Bowbridge, Griffins Mill and Ham Mill locks is being restored by volunteers with a probably completion in 2015/16.

In the meantime, some of the western sections
of the
T&S Canal between Stroud and Chalford are suitable for navigation
by small craft. The section to Brimscombe Port is also part of the
current Phase 1A restoration programme with the latter being part of a
self contained restoration project. The section from Brimscombe to
Chalford is mainly still owned by Gloucestershire County Council who
took over the operation of the T&S Canal over a century ago. Some
lengths are still in water but sometimes reeded over.